It’s August 31st– another summer of my life has slipped by, and I got the call this afternoon to show up for surgery at 8:45am tomorrow. The way I spent last week– you would have thought it was the last seven days of my life instead of a simple shoulder repair! It was party, party, party– my anniversary and my birthday, nonstop.

I just have one, cute, restore-your-faith in humanity story for you tonight. I was shopping at Hannaford, picking up a few last minute easy meals. Mr. SFO has discovered GOAT MILK– have you? Apparently every one has, because Skowhegan Hannaford is always out of it.

On the very top shelf of the refrigerator case, I spied a carton! Since Mr. SFO will be cooking for the forseeable future, I was anxious to please.

Unfortunately, it had not slid down the angled shelf as cartons were removed, so not only was it on the top, it was at the very back. I glanced around, looking for an employee or the tallest person I had ever seen in my life– that’s how high it was.

All I saw was a little old man who was probably the only person in the store shorter than me. He saw my face, and he said, “Are you having trouble reaching something?”

“Yes,” I replied, “but I don’t think you’ll be able to reach it,” and realizing that might come off as an insult, I added, “I don’t think anyone could reach it!’ That much was certainly true.

Undaunted, he left his cart, came over, and whipped out an old wooden cane, the kind with a curve at the end. He neatly hooked the carton with it and pulled it forward. When it reached the edge of the case, it fell out, executing a perfect somersault into the man’s hand!

It all happened so quickly, and my smile was ear to ear! I touched his arm– I sometimes allow myself this impropriety because I honestly think it’s a lovely way of connecting to people, and I thanked him from the bottom of my heart.

I fully intend to bounce right back after this surgery, keep doing all the things, and most of all enjoying these little life moments as God gifts them to me.

See you on the other side!

xox
Carol